Libiņa-Egnere: New Unity Sets No Demands for Posts Before Talks with Kulbergs
Latvia's party New Unity is waiting for an invitation to talks with prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs and is not setting demands for posts beforehand. Its parliamentary group leader Inese Libiņa-Egnere voiced scepticism about backing a government in which the party would not take part.
New Unity (JV), a party in Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, is waiting for an invitation to talks from prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS) on forming the next government, and does not plan to put forward demands for specific posts beforehand. JV Saeima group leader Inese Libiņa-Egnere told the news agency LETA. President Edgars Rinkēvičs formally entrusted Kulbergs with forming the cabinet on Wednesday.
Readiness for talks
According to Libiņa-Egnere, JV first wants to hear Kulbergs' vision of how to build the government and what cooperation model might be used. "We are ready for a conversation, we will wait for the invitation and then we will talk. We are not going in with any preconditions or demands for posts. We are going as a possible cooperation partner," she said.
Presidium and responsibility for decisions
On Tuesday the 15th Saeima elected its Presidium, the body that leads parliament, and JV was left without a seat in it. The politician declined to assess whether this indicates the party's place in the next government, saying conclusions should be drawn after talks with Kulbergs.
Libiņa-Egnere expressed scepticism about supporting a government in which JV is not represented. In her view, backing a government means taking responsibility for its decisions, and without taking part in its work and knowing how decisions are made, political responsibility cannot be accepted.
JV also maintains its pre-election position on the party Latvia First (LPV). Libiņa-Egnere said JV is not ready to work with political forces whose past votes, in the party's view, favoured Russia and Belarus.
Background
The 15th Saeima's Presidium includes AS, the National Alliance, LPV and the Progressives, while JV and Sovereign Power/United Latvians gained no representation. LPV politician Ramona Petraviča was elected Saeima secretary, while JV candidate Edmunds Jurēvics did not receive the required support. Kulbergs has said he hopes to form the new government by Latvia's national holiday and will continue consultations in the coming days with parties in the Saeima, except Sovereign Power/United Latvians.
